Andrew Noble

The certification, often seen as the gold standard for social and environmental performance, marks the company as a leader in maintaining high standards of performance, accountability, and transparency across various areas, including employee benefits, charitable giving, and supply chain practices.

Par Equity has raised £412 million and backed 77 companies, with a strong emphasis on HealthTech, ClimateTech, and IndustrialTech startups. It is one of a small number of UK VC firms to have secured B Corp status, Digit News reports.

Since its inception in 2008, Par Equity has demonstrated its dedication to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. Among its accomplishments is the launch of ESG VC, a pan-European project aimed at enhancing the ESG credentials of early-stage businesses.

Partner at Par Equity, Andrew Noble, outlined the company’s vision, explaining that they have been “investing in the next generation of businesses, in companies that can transform our future”.

He continued: “Examples from our investment portfolio include Nova Pangaea Technologies, which is a world leader in developing sustainable aviation fuel; and Advanced Electric Machines which design and manufacture a range of sustainable electric traction motors that are far greener than other technologies and are fully recyclable.”

Par Equity has also made substantial investments in commercial forestry, working in partnership with Scottish Woodlands since 2010. In December 2021, this commitment was amplified with the financing of the Glen Dye Moore project, a collaboration with Aviva and Scottish Woodlands. The project aims to redevelop 15,700 acres of woodland and peatland, capturing an estimated 1.4 million tons of CO2.

Lucy Kelly, operations manager at Par Equity, highlighted the importance of the B Corp certification in the company’s journey, describing it as “an important foundation for the next stages in our growth as a business.”

B Lab, the non-profit that administers B Corp certification, reports that the UK has one of the fastest growing B Corp communities worldwide. Scottish B Corps represent 4.5% of the UK community, and 8.3% of the UK’s “Best for the World” honourees.